Residential Tear-Offs

Special tools and techniques can make removal go faster and cleaner

Stripping old roofing is few people's
idea of a good time. But it doesn't have
to be inefficient and unprofitable. In
fact, if you've ever had a strong suspicion
that there must be a better way
than brute force applied to a shovel and
hammer claw, you're right.
In search of that better way, we
talked to roofing contractors across the
country to find out more about the
tools and methods they use for tear-offs.
We heard testimonials for everything
from roof saws to potato forks, and
techniques that ranged from ramped
scaffolding to "Look out below!" The
answers we got were as diverse as the
roofers we interviewed. Here's a complete
sampler.
Setting up in the Suburbs
Probably